Flex Forward

What does it take to transition from flipping homes to building a multifamily real estate portfolio? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, Jimmy Edwards, partner at High Five Multifamily, shares his journey from finance and single-family investing into the world of multifamily real estate.
Jimmy opens up about lessons learned through trial and error, the importance of people over spreadsheets, and why communication remains one of the most valuable skills in business. He and Nic discuss the entrepreneurial mindset, the pursuit of financial freedom, and how reading just 10 pages a day has reshaped Jimmy’s perspective.
Listeners will also hear Jimmy’s thoughts on:
Why experience and human connection matter more than data alone
Building passive income and the freedom it brings
The impact of influential books like Rich Dad Poor Dad and Who Not How
How High Five Multifamily is approaching growth and scaling in today’s market
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Brayden Hudson, co-founder and CFO of Trellis Energy Partners, to talk about building a lean, relationship-driven business in the oil and gas industry.
Brayden shares how Trellis Energy Partners is opening doors for individual investors to access non-operated oil and gas opportunities across the U.S.—a traditionally difficult-to-reach market. He explains how their model helps manage risk, leverages strong industry relationships, and creates meaningful opportunities for retail investors seeking growth and tax-advantaged investments.
The conversation also dives into leadership lessons, including the importance of empowering people, building meaningful relationships, and staying proactive to avoid costly delays. Brayden also gives insight into future plans for Trellis, including new funds, using AI to streamline operations, and continued growth in the investment platform.
 
 
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What does it take to build wealth through passive investing while balancing risk and reward? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, Nic sits down with seasoned investor and entrepreneur Sandhya Seshadri, founder of Engineer Capital, to explore how she built her portfolio across multifamily real estate, oil, and stocks.
Sandhya shares her journey from immigrating to the U.S. with just two suitcases and a tight budget to managing multimillion-dollar assets. She explains why passive income is powerful, how conservative investing strategies can protect you during market shifts, and what sets her apart as an operator in the competitive world of multifamily real estate.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Derrick Johns, a former Marine turned medtech entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas. Derrick shares the journey behind founding Diffusion Technologies, a company developing revolutionary biomaterials like ZFuse—designed to overcome chronic inflammation caused by traditional implant materials like titanium and stainless steel.
Derrick opens up about starting his company during the 2009 financial crisis, funding it with the help of surgeon friends, and even selling a car to make payroll. The episode dives into how his team’s grit led to a 93.4% spinal fusion success rate in just 6–8 months—far outperforming industry norms.
He also explains exciting future applications for ZFuse, from breast implants to hernia mesh, and the science behind how their technology avoids rejection by the immune system. You’ll also hear his thoughts on resilience, overcoming hospital contracting hurdles, and the book that’s helped guide him through some of the toughest battles: The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, Dr. Cristin Dickerson, founder of Green Imaging, shares how she went from avoiding the business side of healthcare to running a nationwide imaging network that serves over 2.5 million health plan members. She reveals how a sudden spike in MRI prices inspired her to create a cost-saving solution, and how her unique partnerships with imaging centers have set Green Imaging apart.
Dr. Dickerson also opens up about leading through major challenges—like the COVID-19 shutdowns and the sudden loss of a business partner—and the role of family, faith, and resilience in her journey. We discuss passive income strategies, the future of healthcare access, and her upcoming plans to launch new self-service pricing tools for patients.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Sheldon Krancher, a pioneer in the aligner orthodontics industry. With nearly two decades of experience, Sheldon has played a transformative role in shaping the future of dental and orthodontic care.
Sheldon shares how his journey led him to identify a major gap in aligner-based treatments—clinical diagnosis—and how his company, Clear Forward, now serves thousands of dentists and orthodontists around the world. He explains the unique niche his company fills, offering virtual co-diagnosis and optimized treatment planning that bridges the gap between aligner manufacturers and general dentists.
From lessons in entrepreneurship and persistence, to his upcoming international lecture tour and efforts to redefine how the dental industry views malocclusion, this episode is packed with wisdom, innovation, and insight into the evolving landscape of healthcare and dental tech.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, Jason Surat shares how his career evolved from the corporate world and short-term rentals into owning and operating large multifamily properties. He talks about his early days in sales, his transition into fix-and-flip projects, and why short-term rentals became his gateway to bigger deals.Jason also breaks down what sets him apart as an operator, from disciplined budgeting to his deep understanding of underwriting and risk analysis. You’ll hear valuable insights on building a network, using mentorships to accelerate your learning, and leveraging retirement funds for passive real estate investing.Whether you’re new to real estate or looking to scale, this conversation is packed with practical advice and hard-earned lessons.
 
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What if the future of space travel relied on oceans—not just Earth’s oceans, but ones hidden beneath the icy surfaces of moons orbiting Jupiter and Saturn? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Paul Mamakos, founder of Space Ocean Corp, to explore the innovative concept of harvesting extraterrestrial water for space exploration.
Paul shares how his journey—from studying nuclear engineering and aviation, to health food manufacturing, to mergers and acquisitions—led him to pursue his passion for space. He explains the critical role of in-situ resource utilization, the business strategies that power Space Ocean Corp, and why building a strong team and board is essential for success.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Jesse Dishaw, founder of “Your Water Guy” and a serial entrepreneur in the water filtration space. Jesse shares how a shocking water test led him to co-found Living Water Systems, scale it to millions in revenue, and eventually launch his own affordable water filtration company. Learn how Jesse is shaking up the industry by offering whole-house water filtration systems at a fraction of the typical cost.
From door-to-door sales strategies to leadership lessons, this episode is packed with practical insights for business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in personal development. Jesse also talks about mindset, non-negotiables, and the importance of health in building long-term success.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with real estate investor and entrepreneur Lane Kawaoka. Lane shares how he transitioned from being a civil engineer to building a multifamily investment business and founding his company, The Wealth Elevator.
Lane opens up about his early real estate journey—starting with single-family homes and eventually moving into multifamily syndications and private equity. He reflects on the challenges of operating in today’s market with rising interest rates, taxes, and insurance, and how adaptability and self-awareness have been critical to his success.
Listeners will hear about:
Lane’s shift from W-2 employee to full-time investor
Why he embraced multifamily real estate and private equity
Insights on EOS, the Visionary vs. Integrator roles, and leadership growth
Real-world strategies for staying resilient in tougher markets
How Lane identifies and leans into his strengths while delegating the rest
 
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